Stolen puppy recovered, returned to Antioch family’s 3-year-old daughter
Dog-nappers Isaiah Kingstringer, Zoie Ledesma arrested inside Antioch Police Station, have history of arrests, out of custody
By Acting Lt. Gary Lowther #4032, Antioch Police Field Services Division
On Friday, December 26, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., a family was shopping at Target on Lone Tree Way in Antioch with their 10-week-old Yorkshire Terrier, “Tinkerbell.” While inside the store, the family was approached by two individuals who complimented them on the puppy. The individuals then took the puppy from the family and fled the area in a vehicle.
Officer Constantine Kawalya initiated a thorough investigation into the incident. During the investigation, officers learned that Tinkerbell was a Christmas gift for the family’s three-year-old daughter. The investigation led to the identification of a vehicle involved in the incident, as well as the suspected individuals, 20-year-old Isiah Mellow Kingstringer and 21-year-old Zoie Sofia Ledesma.
On December 27, 2025, an Antioch Police Department officer who was aware of the investigation located the suspect vehicle traveling within the City of Antioch and conducted a traffic stop. The vehicle was subsequently towed as part of the investigation.
Later that day, Kingstringer and Ledesma arrived at the Antioch Police Department lobby to retrieve the towed vehicle. Both individuals were arrested on outstanding warrants related to the theft of Tinkerbell.
During a follow-up interview, Officer Kawalya determined the location of the puppy. Tinkerbell was safely recovered and reunited with her family.
Kingstringer and Ledesma were booked into the Contra Costa County Jail on the following charges
• PC 487A(a) – Grand theft of an animal
• PC 532(a) – Theft by false pretenses
• PC 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy
The investigation into this incident is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Antioch Police Department at tips@antiochca.gov.
See video on the APD Facebook page.
History of Arrests, Out of Custody
According to localcrimenews.com, this is the third arrest this year for Kingstringer, a Richmond resident, including by Alameda County Sheriff’s Deputies on June 30th for possession of marijuana for sale and on August 4th by Richmond Police for addict in possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm when not the registered owner and revocation of probation. He was also previously arrested in 2023 by BART Police for battery on transportation personnel with injury.
According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, he is Black and as of Dec. 29 at 5:09 AM, he had bonded out of custody.
According to localcrimenews.com, Ledesma, a Hercules resident, was previously arrested twice in 2023 by Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Deputies for receiving stolen property – motor vehicle, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, driving without a license, failure to obey a peace officer and warrants or holds only.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, she is Asian-Pacific Islander and as of Monday, Dec. 29 at 5:00 AM, she had also bonded out of custody.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
the attachments to this post:
Dognappers Zoie Ledesma & Isaiah Kingstringer APD video
Dog-napper’s car APD
Tinkerbell was stolen & returned Ofcr Kawalya APD
